News Release

Printer-Friendly Version

OPA News Release: [10/20/2006]
Contact Name: David James or Mike Volpe
Phone Number: (202) 693-4676
Release Number: 06-1834-CHI

U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao Presents $8.7 Million Grant to National Urban League to Serve Low-Income Seniors

Nearly $1.3 Million in Funding for Ohio Projects

DAYTON, Ohio — U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today presented the National Urban League with an $8.7 million grant to carry out activities in states through the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP). Ohio seniors will benefit from approximately $1.29 million in SCSEP funding. Secretary Chao was joined by Sen. Mike DeWine, Willie F. Walker, president and CEO of the Dayton Urban League, and Don Bowen, senior vice president of the National Urban League, for today's event.

"Today we met with seniors in Dayton who are gaining skills and experience through the Senior Community Service Employment Program. Once their training is complete, they will start work at various non-profit and public facilities, such as hospitals, schools, daycare and senior centers," said Secretary Chao. "Our overall goal is to help these seniors gain confidence and experience and then assist them in moving into jobs in the private sector.

"America's workforce includes over 25 million men and women age 55 and older. Older workers are known to be reliable, hard working and knowledgeable," Secretary Chao continued. "This $8.7 million Senior Community Service Employment grant to the National Urban League includes nearly $1.3 million for programs right here in Ohio that will make a real difference in the lives of low-income seniors in this community."

The National Urban League is one of 18 entities selected through a competitive process that concluded this summer. Awardees were selected based on the merit of each application and will serve seniors 55 and older in different locales across the country. The National Urban League was one of six new grantees selected this year to provide SCSEP services.

SCSEP grants help subsidize part-time employment and training in community service positions so that older workers can move to unsubsidized, private sector jobs. SCSEP is the only federal workforce program targeted to low-income older workers.

The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. For more information on the department's employment and training programs, please visit www.doleta.gov.